$1.3 million will be donated to Los Angeles for permits, police and cleanup services.By Mawuse Ziegbe
Michael Jackson's memorial inside the Staples Center July 7, 2009Photo: MTV News
AEG and Michael Jackson's estate have agreed to foot the bill for Jackson's huge memorial in Los Angeles last year. The city incurred major costs handling the July 7 memorial at the Staples Center after the pop icon died last summer at age 50.
AEG confirmed in a statement e-mailed to MTV News that the company and the estate of Michael Jackson will pay $1.3 million to the city of Los Angeles; $1 million will be donated to the city's general fund, and another $300,000 will go to the Los Angeles Police Foundation. L.A. determined that the figure represents expenses for permits, police services and Sanitation Department and Transportation Department costs.
AEG was behind the scheduled run of Jackson's much-anticipated This Is It shows at London's O2 arena, which the singer was preparing for when he died of cardiac arrest. The singer also rehearsed at the Staples Center before his death.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a 2009 city report pegged the cost of the memorial at $3.2 million. AEG President and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke alleged that City Attorney Carmen Trutanich demanded $6 million last year to cover the memorial's expenses, while Trutanich maintained he only requested between $2 million and $3 million, the paper reports.
Jackson's memorial was a star-studded event, attended by celebrities and fans alike. Mariah Carey, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer and Stevie Wonder gave powerhouse performances, and luminaries like Smokey Robinson, Magic Johnson and the Reverend Al Sharpton paid tribute to the star. An estimated 17,000 fans were present inside the Staples Center and at the Nokia Theatre next door, where a viewing area was set up.
Celebrate Michael Jackson's legacy all next week as MTV News looks back at his life, his music and the death that shook the world one year ago.
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